Method for stimulating plant disease suppressive activity in sphagnum moss, related products and uses

Abstract

A method for stimulating plant disease-suppressive activity, such as soil—and seed-borne fungal diseases—and saprophytic molds-suppressive activity, in Sphagnum moss biomass is provided. In the method freshly harvested and/or air-dried Sphagnum biomass is heat treated, thereupon a flow of air heated to a temperature within a range of 50-80° C. is conveyed thereto during a predetermined period of time. Sphagnum biomass is preferably selected from naturally occurring Sphagnum species, in particular, Sphagnum fuscum. A plant disease-suppressive growing medium and uses thereof are further provided.

1 . A method for stimulating plant disease-suppressive activity in  Sphagnum  moss biomass, wherein in said method  Sphagnum  moss biomass is heat treated, thereupon a flow of air heated to a temperature within a range of 50-80° C. is conveyed to  Sphagnum  moss biomass during a predetermined period of time. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said  Sphagnum  moss biomass is freshly harvested and/or allowed to air-dry at a temperature less than 50° C. prior to heat treatment. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claims 1 , wherein the time period for heat treatment of  Sphagnum  moss biomass is 0.01-24 hours. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising subjecting  Sphagnum  moss biomass to size reduction prior to heat treatment, thereupon a fibrous particulate with particle size at most 40 mm is formed. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising classifying the heat treated fibrous particulate by particle size thereof to form a number of fractions with particle size distribution within any one of the: 2-4 mm, 4-8 mm, 8-20 and 20-40 mm. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising subjecting heat treated  Sphagnum  moss biomass to size reduction, thereupon a powder with particle size distribution within 0.1-2 mm is formed. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein  Sphagnum  moss biomass is selected from naturally occurring  Sphagnum  species and naturally occurring mixed  Sphagnum  moss community blends. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein  Sphagnum  moss biomass essentially consists of  Sphagnum  fuscum. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein  Sphagnum  moss biomass essentially consists of vegetative parts of  Sphagnum  moss plants occurring at a depth between about 30 cm and about 10 cm. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein plant disease-suppressive activity is at least soil-borne- and seed-borne fungal disease-suppressive activity and saprophytic mould-suppressive activity. 
     
     
         11 . A plant disease-suppressive growing medium comprising  Sphagnum  moss biomass stimulated according to the method defined in  claim 1 , wherein said plant disease-suppressive growing medium is provided in the form of a fibrous particulate or a powder with particle size at most 40 mm. 
     
     
         12 . The plant disease-suppressive growing medium of  claim 11  in the form of a fibrous particulate having particle size distribution selected from the group consisting of: 2-4 mm, 4-8 mm, 8-20 mm and 20-40 mm. 
     
     
         13 . The plant disease-suppressive growing medium of  claim 11  in the form of a powder with particle size distribution 0.1-2 mm. 
     
     
         14 . The plant disease-suppressive growing medium of  claim 11 , comprising  Sphagnum  moss biomass selected from naturally occurring  Sphagnum  species and naturally occurring mixed  Sphagnum  moss community blends. 
     
     
         15 . The plant disease-suppressive growing medium of  claim 11 , comprising  Sphagnum  moss biomass that essentially consists of  Sphagnum  fuscum. 
     
     
         16 . The plant disease-suppressive growing medium of  claim 11 , further comprising an at least one additive selected from the group consisting of: nutrients, fertilizers, biochar, bio-ash, peat, bark, sawdust, clay, perlite, binders, surfactants, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         17 . A seedbed comprising the plant disease-suppressive growing medium as defined in  claim 11 . 
     
     
         18 . A fungus-, mold- and/or mildew prevention agent comprising the plant disease-suppressive growing medium according to  claim 11 . 
     
     
         19 . An insulating material comprising the plant disease-suppressive growing medium according to  claim 11 . 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the time period for heat treatment of  Sphagnum  moss biomass is 0.01-24 hours.